Art Pepper – Unreleased Art, Vol. 5 – Stuttgart May 25, 1981 – Widows Taste APM 10001 – Disc 1: 65:01 – Disc 2: 64:58 ****:
(Art Pepper, alto sax & clarinet; Milcho Leviev, piano; Bob Magnussen, bass; Carl Burnett, drums)
It is a cause for celebration each time Laurie Pepper releases a new volume of previously non-commercially available material largely from the end of Art’s life, when he was in a race to pour out his soul for his fans – largely overseas – knowing that he was ill and did not have unlimited time to express his reinvigorated passionate music. I have had the privilege to hear and review all of the volumes of Unreleased Art. Whereas music pirates are thought of as pariahs feeding off artists with no monetary return, Laurie Pepper has come full circle, knowing that Pepper’s fans were hardcore and most often were recording his live sets for their own use as jazz bootlegs are way down the food chain compared with those of rock boots, which have a much larger fan base, who will pay dearly for jam bands’ live sets.
Art’s fans have had a reciprocal relationship with Pepper’s widow, Laurie, and rather than battling with them legally, they have turned over well recorded live sets to Laurie. These fans have always remained nameless, (we do get a first name and photo of Rocco here) and Laurie’s label, Widow’s Taste, has had the services of Wayne Peet, who remasters, and cleans up the “donated” material. I have found Wayne’s work to be more than respectable – with fine acoustics. However, the primary value is hearing Art with a crack band, going from breakneck blowing to tender gut-wrenching ballads.
On Volume 5, recorded in Stuttgart, Germany, Art is locked in with his touring band of two years, headed by pianist, Milcho Leviev, who could be a willing partner, or a demon baiting Pepper and attempting to hog the limelight. Bassist Magnusson and drummer, Burnett, have no ego problems and provide rock steady accompaniment. After all this is Art’s show, and with his health fading slowly but spirit intact and his music being his lifeline, each volume in this excursion with Art presents treats that keeps fans coming back for more, and kind Laurie is anxious to feed our healthy habits.
Vol. 5 presents no real new compositions, as “Artophiles” have heard these songs before, but it is in the presentation that brings joy to the listener.
Personally, I will never get tired of hearing Art emote on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and with most all the tracks being quite extended, we get treats like Magnussen’s brilliant solo on "True Blues," Art’s soaring solo entering all directions on "Yours is My Heart Alone," and the simply sublime, "Patricia," written ever so gently by Art for his daughter – what a lifelong present to treasure.
"Avalon" brings us Art on clarinet, which we hear him play so seldom, that I find myself searching out other Pepper CDs to verify how rare the occurrence is. I find Pepper’s clarinet playing to be comforting, easy on the ear no matter where Art heads. The Stuttgart audience seems to agree. "Make a List (Make a Wish)," at nearly 24 minutes can be jokingly called Art’s jam band excursion – I wonder what today’s new young hipsters would make of Bob Magnussen’s solo, Carl Burnett’s cymbal driven beat, and Milcho’s playful meanderings before taking on the blues – so much fun.
Volume Five is another reason to love Pepper’s legion of now middle-age-plus obsessive Art bootleggers. As long as they are generous with us, and in touch with Laurie, we’re grateful. Give the widow her “taste” as she is doing us a public service in keeping Pepper’s flame hot for as long as the concert tapes keep appearing. They have been a yearly treat for me. May the run continue…!
TrackList:
Disc 1: True Blues, Yours is My Heart Alone, Landscape, Patricia, For Freddie
Disc 2: Straight Life, Avalon, Make a List (Make a Wish), Over the Rainbow, Cherokee
– Jeff Krow
